Charging and discharging (Super Capacitors)

I know that the 25 Farad (CPCC25) & 40 Farad (CPCC40) Carbon Capacitors or "Super Capacitors" are much different than standard Energy Storage (Stiffening TM) Capacitors. Since they are so much larger in capacity, how do I charge and discharge them? These instructions are for charging and discharging an “Super (Carbon) Capacitors”. For charging and discharging standard Energy Storage Capacitors (like the .025, 0.50, 1.0 and 1.5 Farad caps) please refer to Charging & discharging Energy Storage Capacitor(s).

Precaution The primary function of a charged capacitor is to discharge instantly and provide a burst of current (power) to an amplifier’s power supply (typically during hard-hitting bass notes) when needed. The vehicle’s charging system (battery & alternator) will quickly recharge the capacitor for the next burst of energy needed. Although a capacitor is not a battery, it should be treated like one. Like a typical lead-acid battery, a capacitor needs to be charged up, connected to power & ground, and protected from shorting-out. However, unlike a typical lead-acid battery, capacitors are totally sealed and therefore need no maintenance whatsoever. They can also be installed upright, sideways, or inverted without leakage (however, consideration should be taken not to block the safety vent located on the top of a capacitor – used to circumvent an explosion, if for some reason, an electrical short may occur.)

Charging a "Carbon Capacitor"

Overcharging cells will reduce their useful life span. Charging cells at an ambient temperature of less than +77°F (+25°C) will minimize the deterioration of their useful life span (keeping it near their 500,000 cycle expectation).

During the charging process, the Carbon Capacitor display will read voltage until a charge voltage of approximately 10.0 volts is reached.  Once 10 volts has been reached, the Carbon Capacitor will continue to charge displaying the voltage for 2 minutes until shutting off.  Even though the display is not reading voltage, the Carbon Capacitor will continue to charge. The display will again turn on after reaching approximately 13.0 volts and will remain on until input voltage drops below 13.0 volts.  The display is a voltage sensing display, meaning it will display voltage only during voltage fluctuations when the input voltage is below 13.0 volts.  If the input voltage is above 13.0 volts, the display will stay on. The display circuit is setup this way to eliminate a drain on the battery while the vehicle is not running.

1. Make sure all power and ground connections are made at the capacitor module.
2. Reconnect the battery and any other power source that may have been disconnected. NOTE: If a reverse polarity has been connected to the CPCC, a warning buzzer will sound when power is applied. Immediately disconnect the CPCC from power, ensure it has been discharged and reconnected to correct polarity.
3. Attach one end of the charging resistor to the power wire leading to the capacitor module. It is highly suggested that you place a fuse before the capacitor. This is to insure that if the capacitor were to be placed in reverse polarity it would blow the fuse first, not the cap.
4. Attach the other end of the charging resistor to the positive battery post.
5. The green Led will become dim and turn off after reaching battery voltage, usually 12.6 volts. This will take approximately 10 minutes. To achieve a more accurate reading, place the red lead of a voltmeter on the side of the charging resistor leading to the capacitor module (cap side of the fuse) and the black lead to chassis of the vehicle or to the negative battery clamp.
6. Once a full charge has been reached and the capacitor module reads the same voltage as the battery, connect the power wire leading to the capacitor module to the positive battery post.
   ATTENTION: small sparks may occur.
7. $NOTICE At this point, it is very important to place the yellow warning label on the top of the battery or a highly visible location. This will let any persons know that an auxiliary form of power is hooked up. It is very very important that the capacitor module be discharged before performing any kind of service on the vehicle. It is important to remember that your Rockford Carbon Capacitor could still be fully charged and could cause personal injury if not discharged.
8. The Rockford Carbon Capacitor is now ready for use.

The 25 Farad (CPCC25) cap takes approx. 7 min. to charge.
The 40 Farad (CPCC40) cap takes approx. 15 min. to charge.
Replacement charging resistor is a 5 Ohm, 25 watt ceramic.

Discharging a "Carbon Capacitor"

$WARNING To prevent serious personal injury, fire and/or damage, ensure the capacitor has been properly discharged before servicing the vehicle and/or system components.

1. Disconnect the power wire going to the capacitor module from the battery.
2. Attach one end of the charging resistor to the power wire leading to the capacitor module.
3. Attach the other end of the charging resistor to the chassis of the vehicle or to the negative battery clamp.
4. The red Led will become dim and turn off when discharging has been completed, approximately 10 minutes. Again to gain a more accurate reading, place the red lead of a voltmeter on the side of the charging resistor leading to the capacitor module (capacitor side of the fuse) and the black lead to chassis of the vehicle or to the negative battery clamp.

The 25 Farad (CPCC25) cap takes approx. 7 min. to discharge.
The 40 Farad (CPCC40) cap takes approx. 15 min. to discharge.
Replacement discharging resistor is a 5 Ohm, 25 watt ceramic.

$NOTICE It is possible for the RED LED to illuminate during the charging and the GREEN LED to illuminate during discharging if the charging resistor is hooked up in reverse. This will not harm either the resistor nor the capacitor if correct charging and discharging procedures are followed.